Image thanks to Australian Traveller
Updated May 2025
Originally published September 2019
Uluru is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Australia - a sacred site, a cultural touchstone, and a bucket list destination for travellers worldwide. Located in the heart of the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, this colossal sandstone formation draws over 300,000 visitors a year.
So what are the best ways to experience Uluru? From the classic Uluru base walk to scenic flights, cultural tours, and hidden gems like Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, we’ve rounded up the top things to do around Uluru to make your trip unforgettable.
Image thanks to Skydive Uluru
There’s no view of Uluru quite like the one from 12,000 feet above. Skydiving over Uluru is one of the most thrilling ways to experience the Red Centre - offering panoramic views of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), and the endless desert horizon beyond.
Whether you jump at sunrise or sunset, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adrenaline seekers. It’s also the only skydive of its kind in Australia where you can freefall over a UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape.
We’ve mentioned this epic drop zone before in our blog on Australia's best skydiving spots - and trust us, it’s a standout for a reason. Book early, spots fill fast!
Image thanks to Professional Helicopter Services
Want the views without the freefall? A scenic helicopter flight over Uluru offers all the jaw-dropping panoramas without having to jump out of a plane. It’s one of the most popular ways to see the sheer scale of the rock and its surrounding desert from above - and with a professional pilot-guide, you’ll get insightful commentary along the way.
Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters can fly lower and manoeuvre closer to key features of the landscape, making your flight far more immersive. Many tours also take in Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon, and Lake Amadeus depending on the flight route you choose.
If you're willing to splurge, this is easily one of the most memorable ways to see the Red Centre - especially at sunrise or sunset when the desert glows in deep reds and golds.
Image thanks to Parks Australia
If you're after the most budget-friendly way to experience Uluru, this is it - and honestly, it’s one of the best. The full 10.6km base walk loops around the entire rock and takes around 3.5 hours, depending on how many snack breaks and photo stops you take. Spoiler: you'll want a few.
This isn’t just a wander around a big red rock - the landscape changes constantly. You’ll pass through shady woodlands, cross red sandy plains, spot ancient rock art, and maybe even catch a waterhole or two if there’s been rain. Each section of the walk has its own vibe, so it never gets boring.
It’s also one of the best ways to connect with the cultural side of Uluru. Along the way, you’ll see interpretive signs sharing the Anangu people's stories and the rock’s significance. Want more context? Jump on a free guided Mala Walk for extra insights.
Pro tip: start early. Like, sunrise early. It gets seriously hot out there - and you don’t want your main Uluru memory to be sunstroke.
Image thanks to Stuff.co.nz
Think you’ve spotted Uluru while cruising in from Alice Springs? Not so fast. That massive red rock on the horizon is probably Mount Conner - or as the locals lovingly call it, Fool-uru.
Yep, this giant flat-topped mesa has duped many a tourist into thinking they’ve made it to the big rock... only to realise the real Uluru is still hours away. To be fair, it’s an easy mistake. Mount Conner is massive, red, and dramatic - just not that rock.
You can’t just wander up to it solo, though. It’s located on Curtin Springs Station (private land), so the only way to properly visit is by booking a guided tour. Operators like SEIT Outback Australia offer access, plus the added bonus of local stories and outback insights.
It’s definitely worth a stop - not just for the view, but for the story you'll get to tell: the time you met Fool-uru before the real deal.
Image thanks to Local Uluru Tours
If you’re going to splurge on one unforgettable Uluru experience, let it be this.
The Sounds of Silence dinner is equal parts luxury and magic: sip champagne as the sun sets over Uluru, then dine under the outback desert stars. There’s traditional bush tucker on the menu, didgeridoo performances, and expert guides on hand to point out constellations in the Southern Hemisphere sky.
Yes, it’s pricey. But this is one of the most iconic dining experiences in the country - if not the world. Dining in the heart of the desert with Uluru glowing in the distance? Worth every cent.
Image thanks to Australian Geographic
Uluru isn’t just a rock - it’s a deeply sacred site to the Anangu people, the Traditional Owners of this land. The area has been home to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara peoples for tens of thousands of years, and their stories and spiritual connection to Uluru are woven into every cave, waterhole, and crack in the rock.
To truly understand what makes this place special, take time to learn about its cultural significance. Start with a visit to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, where you’ll find exhibitions, traditional artwork, and stories from the Anangu themselves. For a more immersive experience, join a guided walk with an Indigenous guide - they’ll share Tjukurpa (ancestral law) stories that explain how the land was formed and how it’s still cared for today.
You’ll leave with more than a good photo - you’ll leave with a deeper respect for this place.
Image thanks to Earth Trekkers
It might be a solid 3-hour drive from Uluru, but Kings Canyon is more than worth the detour. Think soaring 100-metre cliffs, hidden waterholes, and ancient sandstone domes that feel like something out of another planet.
The Rim Walk is the real highlight - a 6km loop that takes about 3–4 hours. Yes, it starts with a brutal staircase nicknamed "Heart Attack Hill," but once you’re up top, you’re rewarded with jaw-dropping views across the canyon and out into the red desert beyond. Along the way you’ll pass the lush Garden of Eden (yes, that’s its real name), a surprising oasis tucked into the canyon floor.
If you’re after a quieter, less-touristy adventure that still packs a punch, Kings Canyon is your place. Just be sure to leave early - the sun doesn’t mess around out here.
Image thanks to Viator
While Uluru gets all the spotlight, Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) is every bit as jaw-dropping. These towering domes are estimated to be over 500 million years old, and sit about 40km west of Uluru - easy to get to and wildly underrated.
The name Kata Tjuta means “many heads” in the local Anangu language, and it fits - 36 massive rock formations rise from the desert like something out of another world. The Valley of the Winds Walk is the standout here: a 7.4km trail that takes you through the domes, past creek beds, and up to two incredible lookouts with Mars-like views in every direction.
Sacred to the local Aboriginal people and rich with ancient energy, this is a place to walk slowly, breathe deeply, and take it all in. It might be a bit of a hike, but the reward is pure outback magic.
Image thanks to Tourism Central Australia
No, camels aren’t native to Australia - but they’re incredibly well suited to the outback environment. In fact, Australia has the largest wild camel population in the world, and there’s no better place to ride one than around Uluru.
Hop aboard a gentle dromedary and cruise through the red dunes like an outback explorer. With Uluru rising up behind you and nothing but desert stretching out ahead, it’s as close as you’ll get to that Lawrence of Arabia moment.
Camel treks run at sunrise and sunset, and both times are unreal - think fiery skies, long shadows, and a stillness that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Uluru isn’t just about the scenery – it’s about the stories. And there’s no better way to hear them than from the Anangu people themselves, the traditional owners of this land. Join a dot painting workshop and sit down with a local artist to learn about Tjukurpa – the creation stories that connect people, land, animals, and spirit.
You’ll be guided through the symbols, meanings, and stories behind each design, then create your own dot painting to take home. It’s hands-on, respectful, and a rare opportunity to connect more deeply with the culture and meaning of Uluru. No two paintings are ever the same – just like no two visits to the Red Centre.
Image thanks to Bruce Munro
Think Uluru can’t surprise you after dark? Think again. As the sun dips below the horizon, the desert comes alive with 50,000 softly glowing spindles of light across a massive field the size of seven football pitches. This world-famous art installation by Bruce Munro is called the Field of Light, and it’s just as dreamy as it sounds. The lights are solar powered and subtly shift in colour as you wander the winding paths through the desert.
Best experienced just before sunrise or after sunset, this is a must for anyone looking to add a bit of magic to their Uluru adventure. It’s an ethereal tribute to the timeless spirit of the land – and trust us, it’s worth the early wake-up or the late-night stroll.
Whether you're chasing adrenaline from 12,000 feet, learning sacred stories passed down for generations, or simply sitting in silence as the desert glows at dusk - Uluru delivers experiences that stick with you long after you’ve left.
It’s not just a rock. It’s a living, breathing part of Australia’s heart - and visiting it is something every traveller should do at least once. Just be warned: once you’ve had a taste of the outback, you’ll probably want to come back for more.
We’ve got you sorted. From multi-day adventures to flexible Red Centre packages, ourUluru tours are built for real travellers - with budgets and bucket lists in mind.
Let the outback adventure begin.
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